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Political forum to be held Thursday at Farm Bureau office
The Banks County Chamber of Commerce CVB will be hosting a Political Forum at the Farm Bureau office on Thursday, April 26, at 6:30 p.m.
Early voting coming up
Early voting for the May 22 election will begin on April 30 and go through May 18.
Early voting will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays.
A Saturday date has also been scheduled for early voting. The hours will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 12.
Early voting will be held at the Banks County Elections Office, located at 226 Candler Street, Homer.
Mail absentee voting will be held April 3 through May 18.
REPUBLICAN BALLOT
Local seats on the Republican ballot will include the following:
•Banks County Board of Commissioners, District 1: Incumbent Danny Maxwell and Sam Moon.
•BOC, District 3: Incumbent Sammy Reece and Pat Westmoreland.
•Georgia House of Representatives, District 28: Incumbent Dan Gasaway and Chris Erwin.
Other contested seats on the Republican ballot will include the following:
•Governor: Casey Cagle, Eddie Hayes, Hunter Hill, Brian Kemp, Clay Tippins, Marc Urbach and Michael Williams.
•Lieutenant Governor: Geoff Duncan, Rick Jeffares and David Shafer.
•Secretary of State: David Belle Isle, Buzz Brockway, Josh McKoon and Brad Raffensperger.
•Commissioner of Insurance: Jim Beck, Jay Florence and Tracy Jordan.
•State School Superintendent: Incumbent Richard Woods and John Barge.
•Public Service Commissioner: Incumbent Tricia Pridemore and John Hitchins III.
•Court of Appeals Judge: Ken Hodges and Ken Shigley.
DEMOCRAT BALLOT
There are no local races on the Democrat ballot. State races include the following:
•Governor: Stacey Abrams and Stacey Evans.
•Lieutenant Governor: Sarah Riggs Amico and Triana Arnold James.
•Secretary of State: John Barrow, Dee Dawkins-Haigler and Rakeim “R.J.” Hadley.
•Commissioner of Insurance: Janice Laws and Cindy Zeldin.
•State School Superintendent: Sid Chapman, Sam Mosteller and Otha E. Thornton Jr.
•Commissioner of Labor: Ricahrd Keatley and Fred Quinn.
•Public Service Commissioner: Lindy Miller, John Noel and Johnny C. White.
•Public Service Commissioner: Dawn A. Randolph and Doug Stoner.
•U.S. Representative, 116th District: Dave Cooper and John McCall.
•Court of Appeals Judge: Ken Hodges and Ken Shigley.
ROAD TAX
Also on the May 22 ballot, voters will be asked to decide whether a one-cent tax for road and bridge improvements in the county should be approved. It is estimated that $15 million will be collected with 75 percent to be used in unincorporated areas of the county and 25 percent to be divided among the towns based on population.
The BOC has approved a list of road and bridge projects that would be funded with the county portion of the tax, estimated to be $11 million.
A breakdown on the percentage of the tax that would go to each town includes the following: Homer, 7.96 percent; Maysville, 6.46 percent; Baldwin, 5.17 percent; Alto, 3.6 percent; Lula, 1.10 percent; and Gillsville, 0.21 percent.
For more election news, see this week's issue of the Banks County News.
Early voting will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays.
A Saturday date has also been scheduled for early voting. The hours will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 12.
Early voting will be held at the Banks County Elections Office, located at 226 Candler Street, Homer.
Mail absentee voting will be held April 3 through May 18.
REPUBLICAN BALLOT
Local seats on the Republican ballot will include the following:
•Banks County Board of Commissioners, District 1: Incumbent Danny Maxwell and Sam Moon.
•BOC, District 3: Incumbent Sammy Reece and Pat Westmoreland.
•Georgia House of Representatives, District 28: Incumbent Dan Gasaway and Chris Erwin.
Other contested seats on the Republican ballot will include the following:
•Governor: Casey Cagle, Eddie Hayes, Hunter Hill, Brian Kemp, Clay Tippins, Marc Urbach and Michael Williams.
•Lieutenant Governor: Geoff Duncan, Rick Jeffares and David Shafer.
•Secretary of State: David Belle Isle, Buzz Brockway, Josh McKoon and Brad Raffensperger.
•Commissioner of Insurance: Jim Beck, Jay Florence and Tracy Jordan.
•State School Superintendent: Incumbent Richard Woods and John Barge.
•Public Service Commissioner: Incumbent Tricia Pridemore and John Hitchins III.
•Court of Appeals Judge: Ken Hodges and Ken Shigley.
DEMOCRAT BALLOT
There are no local races on the Democrat ballot. State races include the following:
•Governor: Stacey Abrams and Stacey Evans.
•Lieutenant Governor: Sarah Riggs Amico and Triana Arnold James.
•Secretary of State: John Barrow, Dee Dawkins-Haigler and Rakeim “R.J.” Hadley.
•Commissioner of Insurance: Janice Laws and Cindy Zeldin.
•State School Superintendent: Sid Chapman, Sam Mosteller and Otha E. Thornton Jr.
•Commissioner of Labor: Ricahrd Keatley and Fred Quinn.
•Public Service Commissioner: Lindy Miller, John Noel and Johnny C. White.
•Public Service Commissioner: Dawn A. Randolph and Doug Stoner.
•U.S. Representative, 116th District: Dave Cooper and John McCall.
•Court of Appeals Judge: Ken Hodges and Ken Shigley.
ROAD TAX
Also on the May 22 ballot, voters will be asked to decide whether a one-cent tax for road and bridge improvements in the county should be approved. It is estimated that $15 million will be collected with 75 percent to be used in unincorporated areas of the county and 25 percent to be divided among the towns based on population.
The BOC has approved a list of road and bridge projects that would be funded with the county portion of the tax, estimated to be $11 million.
A breakdown on the percentage of the tax that would go to each town includes the following: Homer, 7.96 percent; Maysville, 6.46 percent; Baldwin, 5.17 percent; Alto, 3.6 percent; Lula, 1.10 percent; and Gillsville, 0.21 percent.
For more election news, see this week's issue of the Banks County News.
BOC budget hearings underway
The Banks County Board of Commissioners began the budget process on Monday by meeting with department heads and making cuts to the proposed $16.3 million budget. This figure will likely go down as the budget process continues as the commissioners made at least some cuts in each department reviewed on Monday.
Budget hearings are also slated to be held Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of this week.
Budget hearings kicked off Monday morning with tax commissioner Becky Carlan presented her proposed budget and requesting additional funds for computers and motor vehicle software, which was previously furnished by the state but is not any longer. The BOC agreed to fund these requests.
In other budget requests, the BOC decided not to approve a request from Superior Court for $6,322 for an assistant administrator position. This is a shared position with Jackson and Barrow counties also providing funding, based on population. The request for the additional funds came from the court administrator.
There was some discussion as to whether Banks County receives its share of services according to the money it provides for these court services.
Several other of the smaller departments were discussed with only minor cuts being made to the budgets.
The schedule for this week is as follows:
•Wednesday, April 11, 10 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
•Thursday, April 12, 10 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
•Friday, April 13, 10 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The meetings will be held in the County Annex. The meetings are open to the public.
For more news from the board of commissioners, see the Banks County News.
Budget hearings are also slated to be held Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of this week.
Budget hearings kicked off Monday morning with tax commissioner Becky Carlan presented her proposed budget and requesting additional funds for computers and motor vehicle software, which was previously furnished by the state but is not any longer. The BOC agreed to fund these requests.
In other budget requests, the BOC decided not to approve a request from Superior Court for $6,322 for an assistant administrator position. This is a shared position with Jackson and Barrow counties also providing funding, based on population. The request for the additional funds came from the court administrator.
There was some discussion as to whether Banks County receives its share of services according to the money it provides for these court services.
Several other of the smaller departments were discussed with only minor cuts being made to the budgets.
The schedule for this week is as follows:
•Wednesday, April 11, 10 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
•Thursday, April 12, 10 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
•Friday, April 13, 10 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The meetings will be held in the County Annex. The meetings are open to the public.
For more news from the board of commissioners, see the Banks County News.
Two die after being struck by motorist at Banks Crossing
A Michigan couple walking on Hwy. 15 at Banks Crossing Tuesday died after being struck by a car.
Lynda Brown, 73, Commerce was traveling southbound on Hwy. 15 in the right lane approaching its intersection with Dallas Drive. James Page, 85, and Francis Page, 78, both of Michigan, were walking westbound across Hwy. 15. They proceeded to walk westbound across Hwy. 15 and entered into the right southbound lane of Hwy. 15 at which time the front of Brown’s vehicle struck both pedestrians.
Mr. Page was pronounced dead at the scene. Mrs. Page died after being transported from the scene.
Lynda Brown, 73, Commerce was traveling southbound on Hwy. 15 in the right lane approaching its intersection with Dallas Drive. James Page, 85, and Francis Page, 78, both of Michigan, were walking westbound across Hwy. 15. They proceeded to walk westbound across Hwy. 15 and entered into the right southbound lane of Hwy. 15 at which time the front of Brown’s vehicle struck both pedestrians.
Mr. Page was pronounced dead at the scene. Mrs. Page died after being transported from the scene.
BOC budget hearings ahead
The Banks County Board of Commissioners will be holding budget hearings in the next few weeks to review requests from each department for the 2019 budget. The meetings will be held in the County Annex.
The schedule is as follows:
•Monday, April 9, 10 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
•Wednesday, April 11, 10 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
•Thursday, April 12, 10 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
•Friday, April 13, 10 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
•Monday, April 16, 10 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
•Wednesday, April 18, 10 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
•Thursday, April 19, 10 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The schedule is as follows:
•Monday, April 9, 10 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
•Wednesday, April 11, 10 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
•Thursday, April 12, 10 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
•Friday, April 13, 10 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
•Monday, April 16, 10 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
•Wednesday, April 18, 10 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
•Thursday, April 19, 10 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Alto citizens to vote on beer, wine sales
In a 3-1 vote, the Alton Town Council approved allowing registered voters a chance to vote on the retail sales of beer and wine in the town.
The council received a request in February from the owners of Alto Grocery to allow them to sell alcohol.
The referendum will be on the November ballot for town residents.
Council member Eddie Palmer voted in opposition to the matter, with council members PJ Huggins, Carolyn Cabe and Mike Ivie voting in favor.
For more news from Alto, see this week's issue of the Banks County News.
The council received a request in February from the owners of Alto Grocery to allow them to sell alcohol.
The referendum will be on the November ballot for town residents.
Council member Eddie Palmer voted in opposition to the matter, with council members PJ Huggins, Carolyn Cabe and Mike Ivie voting in favor.
For more news from Alto, see this week's issue of the Banks County News.
Neace resigns as mayor; named city administrator
Jerry Neace resigned from his position as mayor of the City of Baldwin on Monday night and then was immediately hired as the city’s new city administrator.
Following a brief closed session in which Neace resigned, Mayor Pro-Tem Jeff Parrish conducted the remainder of the meeting during which Neace’s four-year contract as city administrator was approved.
Parrish said current city administrator Tommie Perry presented her resignation to the council on February 26, but said she would work into April to give the council time to find someone for her position.
Neace’s annual salary will be $65,000 and he begins his new position effective March 27, 2018.
The contract includes early termination clauses, but in the event of an early termination initiated by the city Neace could receive a severance fee of one year’s salary at his current salary rate.
The council also appointed Perry to the position of interim city clerk during the duration of her employment, which will end April 21, 2018.
The former city clerk Denise Williams was “let go as the city goes through a re-organization,” Neace said following the meeting on Monday. He said the city is looking for someone with utility billing experience to fill the city clerk’s position.
Parrish said only a brief discussion had been held on the need for a special election to fill the mayor’s seat and it is too late to have the seat on the ballot for the May election. The city could possibly vote on this during the General Election in November.
Following a brief closed session in which Neace resigned, Mayor Pro-Tem Jeff Parrish conducted the remainder of the meeting during which Neace’s four-year contract as city administrator was approved.
Parrish said current city administrator Tommie Perry presented her resignation to the council on February 26, but said she would work into April to give the council time to find someone for her position.
Neace’s annual salary will be $65,000 and he begins his new position effective March 27, 2018.
The contract includes early termination clauses, but in the event of an early termination initiated by the city Neace could receive a severance fee of one year’s salary at his current salary rate.
The council also appointed Perry to the position of interim city clerk during the duration of her employment, which will end April 21, 2018.
The former city clerk Denise Williams was “let go as the city goes through a re-organization,” Neace said following the meeting on Monday. He said the city is looking for someone with utility billing experience to fill the city clerk’s position.
Parrish said only a brief discussion had been held on the need for a special election to fill the mayor’s seat and it is too late to have the seat on the ballot for the May election. The city could possibly vote on this during the General Election in November.
Lula approves depot renovations in split vote
The Lula City Council is moving forward with plans for renovation of the train depot.
The council agreed Monday night on a configuration of the building along with features the council would like to see included in the renovation project.
This step comes following numerous public meetings to receive input from the citizens regarding design and functionality of the facility once renovation is completed.
“We got public hearing comments from different people, and the council, and then we had our engineer design several options based on those comments,” Mayor Jim Grier said.
Councilman Vince Evans proposed the council approve a design that would include a stage, plus additional serving and storage area. Evans pointed out the serving area can be made portable in order to set up additional tables if necessary.
“I think it is the best plan, it gives the most options down the road,” said Evans.
With an estimated construction cost of $171,048, this design would increase the budget for phase one by 6.5 percent.
Councilman Marvin Moore noted the finance committee had earmarked $160,000 for phase one of the three phase project and recommended staying within the budget.
“We just don’t want to build in more capacity than we may need,” said Moore.
There are still items that will be needed that will be outside of construction, such as tables, chairs and possibly an audio and video system as well, noted Moore.
A motion was made by Moore to move forward with a design that would not include a stage and would have less seating area, but would remain within budget.
“If sometime down the road the council sees a need for a stage, one could be built in at that time,” Moore said.
The motion passed 3-2 with Councilman Evans and Councilman Garnett Smith voting against the proposal.
“Soon we will start to discuss what phase two and phase three might look like so the council can begin to influence those as well,” Mayor Grier said.
In the meantime, the city will continue to pursue grants to assist with renovation of the depot, according to City Manager Dennis Bergin.
The council is hoping to have phase one of the renovation project start-up following Railroad Days in May with anticipation of completion prior to the annual fall festival later this year.
See this week's issue of the Banks County News for more information from the Lula City Council meeting.
The council agreed Monday night on a configuration of the building along with features the council would like to see included in the renovation project.
This step comes following numerous public meetings to receive input from the citizens regarding design and functionality of the facility once renovation is completed.
“We got public hearing comments from different people, and the council, and then we had our engineer design several options based on those comments,” Mayor Jim Grier said.
Councilman Vince Evans proposed the council approve a design that would include a stage, plus additional serving and storage area. Evans pointed out the serving area can be made portable in order to set up additional tables if necessary.
“I think it is the best plan, it gives the most options down the road,” said Evans.
With an estimated construction cost of $171,048, this design would increase the budget for phase one by 6.5 percent.
Councilman Marvin Moore noted the finance committee had earmarked $160,000 for phase one of the three phase project and recommended staying within the budget.
“We just don’t want to build in more capacity than we may need,” said Moore.
There are still items that will be needed that will be outside of construction, such as tables, chairs and possibly an audio and video system as well, noted Moore.
A motion was made by Moore to move forward with a design that would not include a stage and would have less seating area, but would remain within budget.
“If sometime down the road the council sees a need for a stage, one could be built in at that time,” Moore said.
The motion passed 3-2 with Councilman Evans and Councilman Garnett Smith voting against the proposal.
“Soon we will start to discuss what phase two and phase three might look like so the council can begin to influence those as well,” Mayor Grier said.
In the meantime, the city will continue to pursue grants to assist with renovation of the depot, according to City Manager Dennis Bergin.
The council is hoping to have phase one of the renovation project start-up following Railroad Days in May with anticipation of completion prior to the annual fall festival later this year.
See this week's issue of the Banks County News for more information from the Lula City Council meeting.
Meeting on road, bridges tax set March 29
There will be a public information meeting concerning the proposed ballot question of a one percent transportation sales tax on Thursday, March 29, at 6:30 p.m. in the Board Room of the Banks County Courthouse Annex.
It will be a joint meeting with Alto, Baldwin, Gillsville, Homer, Lula and Maysville.
“The purpose is to present proposed project lists and to answer public questions,” state leaders.
Banks County voters will go to the polls on May 22 to decide whether a one-cent tax should be implemented to fund road and bridge projects in the county. It is estimated that $15 million will be collected with 75 percent to be used in unincorporated areas of the county and 25 percent to be divided among the towns based on population.
It will be a joint meeting with Alto, Baldwin, Gillsville, Homer, Lula and Maysville.
“The purpose is to present proposed project lists and to answer public questions,” state leaders.
Banks County voters will go to the polls on May 22 to decide whether a one-cent tax should be implemented to fund road and bridge projects in the county. It is estimated that $15 million will be collected with 75 percent to be used in unincorporated areas of the county and 25 percent to be divided among the towns based on population.
Two qualify in Baldwin
Two people have qualified for the Baldwin City Election coming up on May 22. Stephanie Almagno and Larry T. Lewallen qualified for the Post 1 seat on the council. Lewallen previously served on the council.
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